B.S. in Engineering Physics
Through Biola's engineering physics program, which includes a partnership with the University of Southern California, students receive two baccalaureate degrees — an engineering physics degree from Biola, and upon admission, an engineering degree from USC or another accredited university. These two degrees will prepare students for careers in a wide range of industries and government agencies.
In addition to its strong curriculum, expert faculty members and biblical integration, Biola’s engineering physics program offers several key advantages:
- Enjoy a Christian college atmosphere for three formative years that will prepare you to succeed in a secular environment.
- The 3+2 program allows you to receive two degrees in five years — one from Biola University and, upon admission, the other from the University of Southern California.
- Biola’s location in Southern California — one of the world’s largest and most diverse metropolitan areas — is ideal for internships and opportunities to work in local industry.
- Small class sizes provide for individual instruction.
- Graduates of 3+2 programs are often preferred for initial hires over regular engineering majors.
- Biola’s engineering physics program — housed in the Biola.io Tech Division — allows students to explore a variety of engineering fields before choosing their specialty.
- Well-equipped laboratories at the Lim Center offer hands-on experience and opportunities to put your learning into action.
- Be mentored by expert faculty who integrate their Christian faith into their lives as researchers, teachers and ministers in local or global communities. Students have opportunities to be involved in directed research with faculty, participate in presentations at various conferences and co-author peer-reviewed journal articles. Learn more about our faculty and student research.
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Courses
What will I study as an engineering physics major?
Biola’s engineering physics program will equip students with foundational knowledge in a wide range of real-world topics, preparing them to excel in graduate school and their professional careers. Students will learn about present-day topics such as:
- Chemical kinetics, equilibrium, thermodynamics and electrochemistry
- Three levels of calculus, including exploration of infinite sequences, inverse trigonometric functions and curves and surfaces in three-dimensional space
- Physics topics including Newtonian mechanics, wave theory, geometric optics and relativity
- Computer techniques in science and engineering using MATLAB and Excel computer tools for data analysis
- Analysis of stress, strain and deflection of mechanical elements due to tension
- How to consider materials for product designs
- 3D printing
- Microcontroller programming
Bible and Theology Coursework
As part of Biola’s commitment to a biblically centered education, most undergraduate students complete 30 credits of biblical and theological studies as a part of their degree program. Learn more about our Bible and theology core.
3+2 Program
The first three years of the engineering physics program will be spent at Biola, studying physics, chemistry, mathematics, biblical studies and the liberal arts — all from a Christian worldview. The next two years, following a successful application and admissions process, will be spent at the University of Southern California or another accredited engineering school. At the end of this five-year program, students will earn a B.S. in engineering physics from Biola and a B.S. degree in the field of engineering chosen by the student. Degrees include:
Career Outlook and Preparation
What can you do with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering Physics?
Many career opportunities in government agencies, national research laboratories, education, aerospace and nuclear science await future graduates of Biola's engineering physics program. As a well-prepared scientist, you can expect to impact the world for Jesus Christ as a scientific entrepreneur or through rewarding professions such as:
- Automobile and engine designer
- Structural engineer
- Satellite and rocket designer
- Prosthetic device development
- Petroleum engineer
- Drug manufacture and development
- Materials scientist
- Renewable energy researcher
- Biotechnology researcher
- Educator
- Physicist
- Computer and software developer
- Patent technology attorney
In addition, Biola engineering physics graduates and graduate candidates have participated in life-changing internships and engineering projects and have gone on to prestigious graduate schools. Highlights include:
- Internship at NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards Air Force Base in Palmdale, Calif. — projects focused on developing a supersonic business jet to fly over land and minimize the shock wave from the sonic boom, flight research with varying subscale aircraft and working with the SOFIA 747sp flight team analyzing flight data.
- Internship at Fabcon, an industrial fabrication company in Orange County, Calif. — experience gained through working on developing a fast, high-resolution printer for the VistaPrint company and being independently contracted to develop an algorithm for aligning printed circuit boards relative to substrates.
- Internship at Theta Engineering in Costa Mesa, Calif. — collaboration project to develop a sequencer for an industrial spectroscopy client and develop a touch-screen oscilloscope.
- Graduate studies at the University of Southern California and the University of California, Davis.
11% job growth
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, job growth for mechanical engineers is projected to be much faster than average between 2023 and 2033.
BLS projections are not specific to Biola University students or graduates.
...rooting my education in Christ allowed me to go into the field excited to be the best engineer I can be and know that no matter the outcome of my efforts, my identity is not in my work, but in Christ.
Engineering Physics, B.S. '22
...People attend Biola to not only obtain a degree, but to establish a foundation along the way.
Engineering Physics, B.S. '18
Getting to understand who God is has given me a desire to seek Him more.
Engineering Physics, B.S. '16
... Through the examples of my fellow classmates and my professors I learned how to serve others.
Engineering Physics, B.S. '15
... Biola taught me to approach every field of study by integrating the full authority of God’s Word.
Engineering Physics, B.S. '16
Admissions
Admissions Process
Learn about Biola’s admissions requirements, steps to apply, application deadlines and more at our Undergraduate Admissions page.
Program-Specific Admissions Requirements
Students will be required to take a chemistry placement exam.
Schedule a Visit
Learn more about this program by attending an upcoming event for prospective students and parents, or by scheduling a personalized visit.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Attaining a degree from Biola is more affordable than you might think — dramatically lower than the “sticker price” in most cases — with 100% of incoming undergraduate students receiving some form of financial aid.
